Apparatus and assembly for the cleaning and cooking of seafood and crustacea

ABSTRACT

An assembly for cleaning and cooking seafood or crustacea has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall, a basket removably received in the interior volume of the container, a pipe positioned adjacent to the wall and having a plurality of apertures adapted to direct the flow of water into an interior of the basket, a connector fluidically connected to the pipe, and a pot spaced from the container. The container has a bottom and an upper edge. The basket has a plurality of openings through a wall thereof. The connector has a portion extending outwardly of the wall of the container. The basket is removably received in the pot.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/988,651, filed on May 24, 2018 and entitled“Apparatus and Assembly for the Cleaning and Cooking of Seafood andCrustacea”, presently pending. U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/988,651 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/877,519, filed on Oct. 7, 2015, and issuing as U.S. Pat. No.10,456,812 on Oct. 29, 2019. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/877,519was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/812,545, filed on Jul. 29, 2015, and issuing as U.S. Pat. No.9,408,412 on Aug. 9, 2016. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/812,545was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/550,195 filed on Nov. 21, 20174 and issuing as U.S. Pat. No.9,320,286 on Apr. 26, 2016 and entitled “Apparatus and Method forCleaning Game”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the cleaning, washing and cooking ofseafood and crustacea. More particularly, the present invention relatesto the cleaning and cooking of crawfish. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to an apparatus that remove debris from the surface ofthe seafood or crustacea and conveniently allows the cleaned seafood orcrustacea to be moved to a boiling pot.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

Seafood boils refer to various types of social events in which shellfishor crustacea are the central elements. Regional variations dictate thekinds of seafoods, the accompaniments and side dishes, and in thepreparation techniques (e.g. boiling, steaming, baking, or raw). In somecases, a boil may be sponsored by a community organization as afundraiser or a mixture. Boils are also held by individuals for theirfriends and family for weekend get-togethers and summer holidays. Thereare also companies that can cater a boil for large and small events.

Shrimp, crab and crawfish boils are a Louisiana tradition and can befound across Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. These shrimp, crab andcrawfish boils are becoming more popular in various other areas aroundthe United States and foreign countries. One reason for the popularityof crawfish is the price. Shrimp and crab or higher valued crustacea andmay be a less affordable option for larger groups. A boil is usuallycarried out in a large pot (60 to 80 quarts) fitted with a strainer andheated by propane. Seasonings include crawfish boil packets, cayennepepper, hot sauce, salt, lemons and bay leaves. Ears of corn, newpotatoes, onions, and heads of garlic are usually added in shrimp andcrawfish boils. Some people add smoked sausage links or mushrooms. Whencooking crawfish, there is a debate over whether or not the crawfishmust first be purged by covering them with clear water and a generousamount of salt for a few minutes. Advocates argue that this forces thecrawfish to rid their bodies of impurities.

Prior to boiling the crustacea, it is important to clean the crustacea.Typically, the crawfish and shrimp can have debris and impurities on theouter surface thereof. If the crustacea are not cleaned, then this canpresent a gritty or unpleasant taste following the boil. Typicalcleaning preparations, in the past, have been to place a large amount ofcrawfish into a bucket and then using a hose to spray water over thecrawfish in the bucket. After the bucket is filled with water, thebucket is tipped over by hand manipulation so as to remove thedebris-containing water. This requires a great deal of manual effort.Additionally, so as to assure that the crawfish and/or shrimp are veryclean, this cleaning step must be carried out multiple times.Ultimately, after a suitable amount of cleaning, the crawfish or shrimpwill be ready for the boil. During the steps of cleaning, it is quitecommon for some of the crawfish to escape the cleaning bucket. Thesecrawfish must be manually retrieved and returned for further processing.Many people find that the process of cleaning the crawfish or shrimp istime-consuming and unpleasant. As such, a need has developed so as to beable to efficiently clean the crustacea prior to the step of boiling.

The cooking of many different foods, including vegetables, meats,seafood and crustacea is done by placing the food in a perforatedbasket, which is, in turn, placed into a larger pot. Typically, the potcontains a volume of liquid, such as water or cooking oil, in which thefood within the basket is boiled or fried. Such arrangements have theadvantage of permitting cooking of large volumes of individually smallpieces of food and readily placing the large volume of food into the potand removing the same, without the tedious process of scooping out smallpieces of food cooked in a large pot. Due to the use of the basket, theentire volume of food may be placed into an removed from the pot atessentially the same time. Another desirable attribute of the basket/potcombination is that the cooking liquid, be it water or cooking oil, thatis entrained on, in, at around the food is desirably drained back intothe pot after cooking is complete, by suspending the basket over the potabove the liquid level of the pot.

One problem with the baskets and pots that the been used for the cookingof seafood and crustacea is that the pot has a relatively cylindricalwall and the basket has a cylindrical wall. Although the basket may benested within the pot, common pots cannot be nested within each otherbecause the outer diameters of the cylindrical walls are identical. Thisis resulted in difficulties in storage, transportation and display ofsuch seafood boiling pots. A significant amount of shelf space isrequired for each basket/pot arrangement.

In the past, various patents have issued relating to processes forcleaning crustacea, such as crawfish. In particular, U.S. Pat. No.2,660,754, issued on Dec. 1, 1953 to F. O. Roshko, shows a crawfishpicking machine for separating meat from the hulls of crawfish. Thepicking machine includes a frame having an upper and a lower rollermounting member, upper and lower parallel horizontally disposed rollersmounted one substantially vertically above the other on these members,adjustable tensioning means between the mounting members that yieldablyurge the members and the associated rollers together to form a crotchbetween the rollers, and a drive means operatively connected with therollers for positively rotating the rollers in opposite directions at auniform rate. A water jet sprays in front of the crotch substantiallyparallel with the lower forward peripheral portion of the upper rollerand has jet openings directed toward the peripheral portion of the upperroller between the spray and the crotch.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,781,544, issued on Feb. 19, 1957 to T. C. Skarmetta,shows a seafood cleaning machine. This shrimp cleaning machine includesa longitudinally extending generally flat shrimp-receiving platformhaving flexible, transversely downwardly curved side edges, a supportmeans of which the flexible side edges are entrained, a meansoperatively connected the platform for transversely reciprocating theplatform, longitudinally extending rollers engaging a top surface of theplatform adjacent the side edges to form crotches with the platform. Therollers are oscillatably driven by their contact with the top surface ofthe platform. The surfaces of the rollers and the platform havedifferent coefficients of friction whereby a shrimp received in a crotchwill cling to one surface and slip on the other surface to therebyrotate the shrimp until a loose end of the shell is caught between theroller and the platform and the shell is unwound from the shrimp anddrawn through the crotch and from the platform.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,022, issued on May 18, 1976 to A. Danesh, describesa process for treating seafood. This treatment of seafood allows toxicheavy metal ions to be removed from the seafood so as to make theseafood safe for consumption. The method includes washing the seafoodwith an organic sulfur complexing agent for heavy metal ions and heatingthe seafood at a temperature and for a time sufficient to volatilize theheavy metal ions therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,257, issued on Aug. 8, 2006 to Prestenbach, teachesa crustacea and seafood process for preparing fresh uncookedcrustaceans, such as crawfish, lobster, crab and shrimp for shipment toconsumers in a frozen state. The process includes a washing process.This washing process submerges the crustaceans in a few inches of cleanrunning water. The crustaceans are treated with ozone introduction of apreservative and a bacteriacide while under a vacuum. The crustaceansare spray coated with a seasoning and then quick frozen. They are thenpackaged in bulk for individualized cook-and-serve containers.

After experiments with the subject matter of the above-identifiedpatents and patent applications to the present inventor, it was foundthat the cleaning of the seafood or crustacea is accomplished in a veryefficient manner. However, in particular with the cleaning of crawfish,the cleaned crawfish would have to be manually moved from the interiorof the container and then into the basket and/or boiling pot. Thiscollecting, lifting and movement of the crawfish could become a tediousprocess. This is particularly the case under those circumstances whereat least some of the crawfish remain alive. As such, the presentinventor determined that there was a need to allow the cleaned crawfishto be conveniently moved from the cleaning container and into theboiling pot.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0093107, published on Apr.18, 2013 to R. Funderburg, discloses a fish and game washer that isdesigned to wash and clean meat. The meat is put into a bucket and awater source is connected thereto. Air is sucked in to mix with water.This causes the meat float up from the bottom and begin to toss andtumble. This takes the loose scales, feathers, blood and debris over thetop of the bucket.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0127986, published on May8, 2014 to W. Cady, describes a cleaning device that uses water pressureto prepare fish and wild game for consumption. A bucket is describedhaving a conduit affixed to a wall thereof. The conduit can be connectedto a source of water pressure such that water pressure is directed intothe interior of the bucket so as to interact with the game within theinterior of the bucket.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,320,286, issued on Apr. 26, 2016 to the presentinventor, shows an apparatus and method for cleaning game. Thisapparatus has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall anda pipe positioned in the container adjacent to the wall. The pipe has atleast one aperture suitable for directing a flow of water toward aportion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of watercreates a cyclonic path in the container. The pipe extends generallyvertically along the wall of the container. The pipe includes aplurality of apertures formed in spaced relation to each other along thelength of the pipe.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,408,412, issued on Aug. 9, 2016 to the present inventor,describes an apparatus and method for cleaning produce. This apparatushas a container with an interior volume defined by a wall in a pipepositioned in the container adjacent the wall. The pipe has at least oneaperture suitable for directing a flow of water toward a portion of thewall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonicpath in the container. The pipe extends generally appropriate verticallyalong the wall of the container. The pipe includes a plurality ofapertures formed in spaced relation to each other along the length ofthe pipe. The method includes overflowing the container such that thedebris on the produce is removed from the produce.

It is an object of the present invention provide an apparatus forcleaning seafood or crustacea that efficiently and effectively separatesthe debris from the body of the seafood or crustacea.

It is another object of the present invention provide an apparatus forcleaning seafood and crustacea which serves to pressure wash the seafoodor crustacea.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor cleaning seafood and crustacea that avoids the need to hand wash theseafood or crustacea.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for washing seafood or crustacea that facilitates the abilityto clean the container after the washing process.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for the cleaning of seafood and crustacea which avoids theloss of such seafood or crustacea during the washing process.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor the cleaning and cooking of seafood or crustacea which allows thecrustacea to be easily moved from the cleaning container to the boilingpot.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for the cleaning and cooking of crustacea which allows thecleaning container, the basket and the boiling pot to be easily stackedin a nested relationship.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for the cleaning and cooking of seafood or crustacea which canbe easily stored, transported and displayed.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the attached specification andappended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an assembly for cleaning and cooking seafood orcrustacea. This assembly comprises a container having an interior volumedefined by wall, a basket removably received in the interior of thecontainer, a pipe positioned adjacent to the wall of the container, aconnector fluidically connected to the pipe, and a pot spaced from thecontainer. The container has a bottom and an upper edge. The basket hasa plurality of openings through a wall of the container. The pipe has aplurality of apertures adapted to direct the flow of water into aninterior of the basket. The connector has a portion extending outwardlyof the wall of the container. The basket is removably received in thepot.

The wall of the containers tapered such that the upper edge has adiameter greater than diameter of the bottom of the container. Thebasket has a tapered wall with a taper that generally matches a taper ofthe tapered wall of the container such that the basket nests in theinterior volume of the container. The basket has a slotted configurationoverlying the pipe. The plurality of apertures of the pipe are alignedwith slots of the slotted configuration of the basket. The plurality ofapertures of the pipe are adapted to a direct the flow of water toward aportion of the basket spaced from the pipe such that the flow of watercreates a cyclonic path in the basket. The basket is formed of analuminum material.

The present invention is also an assembly for cleaning seafood orcrustacea. This assembly comprises a basket having a plurality ofopenings through a wall of the basket and a pipe positioned adjacent tothe wall of the basket. The pipe directs a flow of water through atleast some of the plurality of openings of the basket so as to create acyclonic path of water flow in an interior of the basket. The basket hasan inset area at a portion of the wall of the basket. This area has aplurality of openings corresponding with and aligned with the pluralityof apertures of the pipe.

The present invention is also an apparatus for cleaning seafood orcrustacea in which the apparatus comprises a container having aninterior volume defined by a wall, a pipe positioned in the interiorvolume of the container and has an aperture adapted to direct the flowof water into the container, and a connector fluidically connected tothe pipe. The container has a bottom and an upper edge. The container isadapted to receive the seafood or crustacea therein. The wall of thecontainer is tapered such that the upper edge of the container has adiameter greater than a diameter of the bottom of the container. Theconnector has a portion extending outwardly of the wall of thecontainer.

The pipe has a plurality of apertures adapted to direct the flow ofwater toward a portion of the wall of the container spaced from thepipe. The plurality of apertures create a cyclonic flow of water in thecontainer. The pipe is positioned adjacent to the wall of the container.This pipe extends in a generally vertical orientation. This generallyvertical orientation is in parallel relation to the wall of thecontainer. The plurality of apertures are formed in spaced relation toeach other along a length of the pipe. Each of the plurality ofapertures has a slot. The slot has a length substantially greater than alength of the aperture. The pipe has a plurality of spacers extendingtransversely to a longitudinal axis of the pipe. The plurality ofspacers generally abut the wall of the container. Each of the pluralityof spacers comprises a fin having an outer edge. One end of the outeredge being radially closer to the pipe than an opposite end of the fin.

In an alternative embodiment, the pipe comprises a nozzle having anoutlet directed inwardly of the wall into the interior volume of thecontainer. The nozzle directs the flow of water toward a portion of thecontainer circumferentially spaced from the pipe.

A basket is removably received in the interior volume of the container.This basket has a plurality of openings through a wall thereof. The wallof the container is tapered such that the upper edge has a diametergreater than a diameter of the bottom of the container. The basket has atapered wall with a taper that generally matches a taper of the taperedwall of the container such that the basket nests in the interior volumeof the container.

This foregoing Section is intended describe, with particularity, thepreferred embodiments of the present invention. It is understood thatmodifications to these preferred embodiments can be made within thescope of the appended claims. As such, this Section should not beconstrued, in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the presentinvention. The present invention should only be limited by the followingclaims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for cleaning seafoodand crustacea in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the apparatus for thecleaning of seafood or crustacea of the present invention and come inparticular, showing the basket is located within the interior of thecontainer.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the basket as used in theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the basket as used in the apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the installation ofthe basket within the boiling pot of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the cyclonic flow path of water in thecontainer and the basket of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apertures that are formedon the pipe of the apparatus the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing the construction of an aperture on thepipe of the apparatus the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe is taken across lines 9-9of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a frontal view of the pipe within the container of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the pipe is positioned against the wall ofthe container of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view showing the placement of the pipe ofthe present invention against the wall of the container of the apparatusof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view showing the drain as used on thecontainer of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is illustration of the method the present invention is used forthe cleaning of seafood or crustacea.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a further step of the present invention asused in the cleaning of seafood or crustacea.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the basket as used for the cleaning ofseafood or crustacea.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there shown the apparatus 10 used for the cleaningof crustacea or game in accordance with the present invention. Theapparatus 10 includes a container 12 having an interior volume definedby a tapered wall 14. The container 12 has a bottom 16 and an upper edge18. A pipe, as will be described hereinafter, is positioned adjacent tothe wall 14. The pipe will have a plurality of apertures adapted todirect a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipesuch that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container.The pipe will extend generally vertically adjacent the tapered wall 14of the container 12. A connector 20 is fluidically connected to the pipeadjacent a lower end of the pipe. The connector 20 includes a portion 21that extends outwardly of the wall 14 of the container 12. A drain 23 isaffixed through the wall 14 of the container 12 so as to have a portionextending into the interior volume of the container 12. The drain 23will communicate with the interior volume of the container 12. The drain23 is positioned adjacent to the bottom 16 of the container 12. Theclosure 25 can be removably affixed over the open end of the drain 23 soas to block the flow of fluid from or into interior volume of thecontainer 12.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the container 12 has a diameter greaterthan a height of the container 12. For the washing of crawfish and/orseafood, this is particularly important so as to create the desiredcyclonic path of water for the proper cleaning of the crawfish orseafood within the interior volume of the container. A lip 27 extendsoutwardly of the upper edge 18 of the container 12. It can be seen thatthere is a basket 20 a that has its upper edge 21 a bearing against thelip 27 of the container 12. As such, this relationship will support thebasket 20 a within the interior of the container 12. A handle 22 a isconnected to the basket 20 a so as to allow for the proper lifting orlowering of the basket 20 a into the container 12. The handle 22 a canbe pivotally mounted to the upper edge 21 a of the basket 20 a or it canbe fixed thereto. The handle 22 a extends upwardly above the upper edge18 of the container 12. Additionally, within the concept of the presentinvention, various other configurations of handles can be applied to thebasket 20 a in order to allow for the proper lifting and lowering of thebasket 20 a from the container 12. The container 12 has rope-typehandles 27 a affixed to the lip 27 and extending upwardly therefrom.Handles 27 a allow for easy transport and manipulation of the container12. The handles 27 a should be located beyond the outer diameter of theupper edge 21 of the basket 20 a.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the wall 14 of the container is taperedso as to widen from the bottom 16 toward the upper edge 18. This taperedconfiguration allows multiple containers 12 to nest within one another.This facilitates the ability to store, ship and display the apparatus10. The various appliances located on or within the container 12 can bestored at the bottom 16 of the container during shipment. As such, thistapered configuration will allow for a very small amount of space toexist between the bottom of a higher container and the bottom of thelower container. As such, this space can be used to accommodate thevarious appliances, such as the connector 20, the drain 23, the closure25 and the pipe.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that there is a pipe 22 that ispositioned adjacent to the wall 14 of the container 12. The pipe 22 hasa plurality of apertures adapted to direct a flow of water toward aportion of the wall spaced from the pipe 22 such that the flow of watercreates a cyclonic path in the container 12. The pipe 22 extendsgenerally vertically adjacent to the wall 14 of the container 12. Theconnector 20 is illustrated as extending through the wall 14 influid-tight relation therewith so as to communicate with the bottom ofthe pipe 22. As such, when water is introduced through the connector 20by the use of a water hose, the water will flow upwardly through thepipe 22 and is emitted through the various apertures of the pipe 22. Thepipe 22 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 7-12 herein. The lowerend of the pipe 22 will be generally adjacent to the bottom 16 of thecontainer 12. The upper end of the pipe 22 will be spaced below theupper edge 18 of the container 12. FIG. 2 further shows that crustacea33 are received within the interior volume 35 of the container 12.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the basket 20 a is received within theinterior of the container 12. The upper edge or lip 21 a of the basket20 a overlies the lip 27 at the upper edge 18 of the container 12. Thewall 23 a of the basket 20 a has an angle of taper generally matchingthe angle of taper of the wall 14 of the container 12. As such, thiswill allow the basket 20 a to nest within the container 12. A pluralityof holes 24 a are formed through the wall of the basket 20 a so as toallow a fluid within the interior of the basket 20 a to drain therefrom.

In FIG. 2, there is an indentation 25 a at or adjacent to the pipe 22.This indentation 25 a allows the interior of the basket 20 a to open tothe water as emitted from the pipe 22. Alternatively, the indentation 25a can closely mate with the pipe 22 so that the indentation 25 a hasholes aligned with the apertures of the pipe 22 so as to allow the forceof water emitted from the pipe 22 to be released into the interior ofthe basket 20 a.

FIG. 3 is an isolated view showing the basket 20 a is used in thepresent invention. Basket 20 a has a wall 23 a that has an angle oftaper such that the bottom 26 a of the basket 20 a has a diameter thatis less than the diameter of the opening at the upper edge 21 a of thebasket 20 a. A notched area 27 a is formed adjacent to the bottom 26 aof the basket 20 a. Notched area 27 a will correspond to the drain 23 ofthe container 12. As such, the drain 23 can cooperate with this notchedarea 27 a so as to allow fluids to selectively drain therefrom. It canbe seen that there are a plurality of holes 24 a formed through the wallof the basket 20 a. Holes 24 a allow the fluid within the interior ofthe basket 20 a to drain therefrom. The upper edge 20 a of the basket 28includes a lip 29 a which will serve to overlie the lip 27 of thecontainer 12. The notched area 27 a will overlie a portion of the drain23 that extends into the interior volume of the container 12. Thenotched area 27 a will also include holes therein so that water can flowfreely therethrough and into the drain, as desired. As will be describedhereinafter, the notched area 27 a will be offset by 90°circumferentially from the indentation 25 a.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the basket 20 a. Basket 20 a includes anoutwardly extending lip 29 a, an inner wall 23 a and a bottom 26 a. Itcan be seen that the wall 23 a tapers from the lip 29 a inwardly towardthe bottom 26 a. The indentation 25 a formed in the wall 23 a of thebasket 20 a. The notched area 27 a is also formed adjacent to the bottom26 a on the wall 23 a of the basket 20 a.

In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the notched area 27 a is offset byapproximately 90° circumferentially from the indentation 25 a. Thisconfiguration will assure proper alignment of the basket with thecontainer. In other words, the indentation 25 a will be assured ofoverlying the pipe 22 when the notched area 27 a is placed over thedrain 23. As such, the notched area 27 a will avoid any improperplacement of the basket 20 a with respect to the container 12.

FIG. 5 shows how the basket 20 a can be removed from the container 12and repositioned for use within a cooking pot 30 a. Cooking pot 30 a hasa wall 31 a that has a taper which matches the taper of the wall 23 a ofthe basket 20 a. As such, the basket 20 a will nest within the cookingpot 30 a when lowered thereinto. The cooking pot 30 a can includeboiling water therein or other sort of cooking oil so as to facilitatethe cooking of the seafood or crustacea 33 within the basket 20 a.Openings 24 a allows the water or cooking oil to enter the basket 20 afor the process of cooking the seafood or crustacea 33.

The cooking pot 30 a is supported upon a platform 32 a. A source of heat33 a is located beneath the platform 32 a so as to elevate thetemperature of the cooking oil or water within the cooking pot 30 a. Assuch, the seafood or crustacea 33 can be cooked properly when the basket20 a is lowered into the cooking pot 30 a.

With reference to FIG. 5, the present invention allows the basket 20 a(which contains the seafood or crustacea 33) to be easily moved from thewashing container 12 to the cooking pot 30. As such, the presentinvention avoids the need to collect the seafood from the bottom of thewashing container 12 and physically move the seafood or crustacea intothe basket of the cooking pot 30 a. As such, the cooking process isgreatly improved in speed and efficiency. Also, since the angle of taperof the wall 23 a of the basket 20 a generally matches the angle of taperof the wall 31 a of the cooking pot 30 a, a proper nesting relationshipis achieved therebetween. A similar nesting arrangement occurs betweenthe cooking basket 20 a and the washing container 12. Because of thisangle of taper of the wall, each of the components of the cookingprocess can easily be nested within one another and stacked so as toprovide for convenient shipping, storage and display.

In the present invention, the container 12 can be formed of a polymericmaterial. This polymeric material assures that the container 12 will berelatively inexpensive to manufacture. The basket 20 a can be formed ofeither a polymeric material or a metallic material, such as aluminum. Tothe extent that the basket 20 a is formed of a polymeric material, itwill withstand the heat and other forces that are placed upon it by theboiling water within the cooking pot 30. When the basket 20 a is formedof a polymeric material, it will be very light and easy to move from thecontainer 12 to the pot 30 a. As such, this facilitates the ability toproperly clean and wash crustacea or seafood. Additionally, when it isdesired to rapidly produce a large number of boiled crawfish, a personcan use several baskets 20 a throughout the cleaning and boilingprocess. For example, while the basket 23 a is placed in the pot 30 a,another basket can be placed within the container 12. As such, thebasket and the container will wash the crustacea or seafood while theother basket within the pot 30 will produce the boiled seafood orcrustacea. After the boiled seafood or crustacea is released from thebasket 20 a after removal from the pot 30, the basket 20 a can bereloaded with crawfish and returned to the washing process.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of the container 12 showing the upperedge 18 of the container 12. The container has an inner wall 37 that thethat defines the interior volume of the container 12. In FIG. 3, can beseen that the pipe 22 is affixed by fasteners 39 to the inner wall ofthe container 12. The basket 20 a is illustrated as received within theinterior volume 35 of the container 12. The basket 20 a includes theindentation 23 a which extends around the pipe 22.

In FIG. 6, water is directed from the interior 40 of the pipe 22outwardly through the apertures. As such, the water will flow outwardlyof the pipe 22 in a first direction 44 through a first set of aperturesand will be directed in a second direction 46 through from a second setof apertures. The water flow 46 is directed toward a portion of theinner wall 37 of the container 12 in spaced relation to the pipe 22. Thewater flow 44 is directed from the second set of apertures outwardly ofthe pipe 22 also toward another portion of the inner wall 37 of thecontainer. In particular, the water flow 46 is directed to the portionof the inner wall 37 of the container 12 generally adjacent to the pipe22. The water flow 44 is directed toward a portion of the inner wall 37at a location spaced further from the pipe 22 and spaced from theportion of the wall associated with the water flow 46. The direction 46is generally a chord of a circumference of the container 12. By flowingthe water in the first direction, a cyclonic path of water flow(illustrated by arrows 48) is created in the interior volume 35 of thecontainer 12. The cyclonic path of water flow 48 serves to effectivelyseparate the debris from the crustacea or game. The first set ofapertures of the pipe 22 will distribute the jets of water over asubstantial portion of the height of the container 12. This has beenfound to enhance the strength of the cyclonic flow path and to create animproved washing effect. The water flow from the second set of aperturesof the pipe 22 provides a broader flow which serves to agitate the waterwithin the container 12 further and to pressure wash the crustacea orgame within the container 12. As such, the combined water flows 44 and46 serve to substantially increase the turbulence within the containerfor the purpose of separating debris from the crustacea or seafood. Thewater flow 46 creates the cyclonic flow path while the water flow 44agitates the water flow and pressure washes the crustacea or seafoodsimultaneously. These water flows combine to enhance the ability of thepresent invention to effectively clean the crustacea or seafood and toremove the debris therefrom.

FIG. 6 shows that the flow of water passes through the apertures of thepipe 22 and through the holes of the indentation 23. As such, thecyclonic flow of water will flow in the interior of the basket 20 a. Thecombined water flows 44 and 46 serve to substantially increase theturbulence within the basket 20 a for the purpose of separating debrisfrom the crustacea or seafood.

FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration of the pipe 22. It can be seen thatthe apertures 24 are formed through the wall thickness of the pipe 22. Aclosure 51 is located at the top of the pipe 22 so as to effectivelyclose the top of the pipe. The connector 20 is located at the bottom ofthe pipe 22 so as to allow the introduction of water into the interior40 of the pipe 22. Within the concept of the present invention, theconnector 20 can be at any location along the length of the pipe 22.

Within the concept of the present invention, the pipe can include anozzle having an outlet inwardly of the wall of the container toward theinterior of the container. The nozzle directs the flow of water toward aportion of the container circumferentially spaced from the pipe. Assuch, unlike the previous embodiment showing a plurality of apertures,this embodiment has a single nozzle that directs a strong flow of waterso as to create the cyclonic flow of water effect and to effectivelyseparate dirt and debris from the crawfish within the container.

In FIG. 7, it can be seen that each of the apertures 24 includes a slot.The apertures 24 are positioned in generally spaced parallel relation toeach other along the length of the pipe 22. A first set of apertures 24a will extend in one direction along a portion of the pipe 22 generallyadjacent to the wall 16 of the container 12. A second set of apertures24 b are positioned on the pipe 22 away from the first set of apertures24 a. The second set of apertures 24 b are directed further away fromthe wall of the container 12 than the apertures 24 a. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, there are a total of threeapertures 24 a and two apertures 24 b. The apertures 24 b are interposedlongitudinally between the adjacent pairs of the apertures 24 a. Assuch, this is configured to establish a broad fan-style spray of waterflow from the pipe 22. It can be seen that each of the first set ofapertures 24 a and the second set of apertures 24 b are canted at anapproximately 30° angle to horizontal. Once again, this angledrelationship of each of the apertures 24 a and 24 b is configured so asto create the optimal cyclonic water flow path and pressure washing.This slotted type of aperture 24, as opposed to holes or other type ofopenings, is intended to create a fan of water as it is ejected underpressure from each of the apertures 24. However, within the concept ofthe present invention, the apertures 24 can include holes, openings, andsimilar techniques for releasing the water under pressure from the pipe22. Additionally, spray-type fittings could be placed within holesformed in the pipe 22. It is believed that the fan-shape flow of watergreatly facilitates the pressure washing of the crustacea or game andenhances the creation of the cyclonic path of water flow. Additionally,such a fan-type spray further serves to distribute the pressurized waterover a greater area than would be the release of water through the useof a simple circular hole pattern.

FIG. 8 illustrates the construction of a single aperture 24. Inparticular, aperture 24 a is shown as located within a slot 53. The slot53 has a generally oval configuration with a widened central area andnarrowing ends. In experiments with the present invention, it is foundthat the apertures 24 can be made in a rapid, efficient and effectivemanner by simply using a saw set to cut the pipe 22. The saw can be setso as to cut the slot 53 to a prescribed depth. Since the pipe 22 has aknown wall thickness, the slot 53 is cut through the wall thickness soas to expose the aperture 24 a. The aperture 24 a is exposed so as tohave a greater length than width. It can be seen that the aperture 24 ais of an elongated nature. As such, this will cause a fan-type spraypattern. Additionally, the inner walls of the slot 53 will constrain therelease of water into such a fan-type pattern and also, through the useof fluid dynamics, enhance the force of the water as it is emittedthrough the aperture 24 a. It can further be seen that the slot 53 has agreater length and greater width than that of the aperture 24 a.

FIG. 8 further shows that the slot 53 has been cut so as to be canted atan approximately 30° angle with respect to horizontal. Once again, thisangling of the aperture 24 a and its slot 53 further enhances thewide-area spray-type flow pattern. Apertures 24 b will have a similarconfiguration to aperture 24 a.

FIG. 8 illustrates the construction of the slot 53 and the aperture 24 ain a view taken across lines 9-9 of FIG. 8. As can be seen, the slot 53is simply formed by cutting through the pipe 22 with a chop saw. Assuch, a relatively linear aperture 24 a is formed when the depth of thecut enters into the interior 40 of the pipe 22. As a result, water canbe released through the aperture 24 a and be restrained the directed bythe wall created by the formation of the slot 53.

FIG. 10 particularly illustrates the configuration of the pipe 22 aspositioned against the inner wall 37 of the container 12. It can be seenthat the pipe 22 includes apertures 24 arranged in the manner describedherein previously. There is a lower portion 60 that is positionedadjacent to the inner wall 37 and an upper portion 62 positioned againstthe inner wall 37. Portions 60 and 62 are at opposite ends of the pipe22. A plurality of spacers 64 extend outwardly of the pipe 22 and, aswill be described hereinafter, serve to bear against the inner wall 37of the container 12. Importantly, in view of the flow of water emittedfrom the apertures 24, a cyclonic path of water flow will occur withinthe container 12. As such, under certain circumstances, would bepossible for the crustacea or game to become wedged between the surfacesof the pipe 22 and the inner wall 37 of the container 12. The spacers64, which are in the nature of fins, serve to convey the crustacea orgame in a direction over and away from the pipe 22. As such, this avoidsany possible lodging of the crustacea or game between the inner wall 37and the pipe 22 which could serve to impede the water flow from theapertures 24. these spacers or fins also serve to create a desirablelaminar flow patterns of the cyclonic flow of water within thecontainer.

FIG. 11 illustrates the end view of the pipe 22 as positioned againstthe inner wall 37 of the container 12. It can be seen that the spacers64 has a fan-shape configuration so as to extend to an outer edge 66.One end 68 of the outer edge 66 is spaced further from the pipe 22 thanthe opposite end 70 of the spacers 64. A rib 72 extends across thespacers 64 so as to enhance the structural stability of the spacer. Aconduit 74 extends from the pipe 22. Conduit 74 communicates with theinterior of the pipe 22. The connector 20 is affixed to the conduit 74so as to extend outwardly of the container 12. The connector 20 has afitting 76 thereon which can reserve to receive a water hose. As such,this allows water to be introduced into the interior of the pipe 22.

FIG. 12 further illustrates how the pipe 22 is supported against theinner wall 37 of the container 12 through the use of the spacers 64. Theupper portion 62 of the pipe 22 has an end that abuts the inner wall 37of the container 12. The lower portion 60 will abut a lower portion ofthe inner wall 37. Spacer 64 extends in parallel relationship betweenthe upper portion 62 and the lower portion 60. The lower portion 60defines the conduit 74 which extends from connector 20 to the interiorof the pipe 22.

FIG. 13 illustrates the drain 23 that is used on the container 12. Thedrain 23 has a first end 80 and a second end 82. The first end 80 hasthreads 84 thereon. Threads 84 are adapted to accommodate the threadedfitting of a water hose. As such, if it is desired to cause the drainingof the container 12 to a remote location, a water hose can be connectedto the drain 23 at the first end 80 and then draped to a desiredlocation for disposing of the water. As an example, if the user does notwish to drain the container 12 on a patio or driveway, a hose can beconnected to the threaded connection 84 and moved so that the water canbe released of into a sewer system, a lawn, a body of water, or otherlocation.

It can be seen that the second end 82 will be located within theinterior 35 of the container 12. The second end 82 includes a pluralityof openings 86 formed therethrough. The plurality of openings 86 willopen to an interior passageway extending through the drain 23. Anotheropening 88 can be located at the end of the interior passageway of thedrain 23. If any of the openings 86 and 88 should become clogged, thedrain can still properly operate through the use of the other openings.

Importantly, the drain 23 is particularly adapted to allow the user toclean the interior of the container after use. After the debris is beenremoved from the crustacea or seafood, a certain amount of the debriswill drift to the bottom of the container and reside thereon. The drain23 can be used so as to drain the water from the container in a desiredmanner. Furthermore, the drain 23 can also be utilized so as to allowfor water to be introduced into the container so as to clean theinterior of the container. For example, a water hose can be connected tothe threaded fitting 84 at the first and 80 so as to introduce water,under pressure, through the drain 23 and through the openings 86 and 88.As such, the present invention facilitates the proper cleaning of theinterior of the container.

FIG. 14 shows a step in the cleaning of crustacea or seafood inaccordance with the present invention. In FIG. 14, the apparatus 10includes the container 12, the basket 20 a and the pipe 22 in the mannerdescribed herein previously. A garden hose 90 is connected to theconnector 20. As such, the water hose 90 can deliver water underpressure through the connector 20 and into the interior of the pipe 22.In FIG. 14, it can be seen that the pipe 22 includes the closure 51 atan upper end thereof. Ultimately, the upper end of the pipe 22 should bedisposed below the upper edge 18 of the container 12 or basket 20 a.When the cyclonic water path is created in the manner described hereinpreviously, the extension of the pipe 22 above the upper edge 18 wouldrestrict the dispersion of the debris and release the debris. In otherwords, the cyclonic path of the flow of the debris would encounter theupper end of the pipe 22 and tend to clump and gather in such an area.As such, within the concept of the present invention, the upper end ofthe pipe 22 should be disposed at a certain distance below the upperedge 18 of the container 12.

In FIG. 14, water has been introduced through the apertures 24 of thepipe 22 and into the interior 35 of the container 12 and into theinterior of the basket 20 a. The introduction of the water in thecyclonic flow path illustrated in FIG. 6 causes the crustacea or seafood33 to generally tumble in the area adjacent to the bottom 16 of thecontainer 12 and the bottom 26 a of the basket 20 a. The fan-type flowof water from the pipe 22 will serve to pressure-wash the tumblingcrustacea or seafood 33. Additionally, the debris 38, in the nature ofdirt, mud, blood, or the like, will tend to move upwardly toward theupper edge 18 of the container 12. This is because the debris 38 isgenerally less dense than water and less dense than the crustacea orseafood 33. The cyclonic flow of water within the container 12 alsoserves to urge the debris 38 upwardly. The continual flow of water intothe interior 35 of the container 12 will continually dilute the debriswithin the container. As such, the debris will mix with the water and bedischarged in the manner shown in FIG. 15.

In FIG. 15, it can be seen that after a certain amount of time, theseafood or crustacea 33 will reside adjacent to the bottom 16 of thecontainer 12. The water 92 from the interior 35 of the container 12overflows the upper edge 18 of the container 12. This overflow willserve to discharge the debris 38 outwardly of the container 12.Ultimately, after period of time, the debris from the crustacea orseafood will continue to dilute until only clear water resides withinthe interior 35 of the container 12. After the debris 38 has beendischarged over the upper edge 18 of the container 12, and after thewater has become sufficiently clear, the water flow can be turned offand the crustacea or seafood 33 removed from the interior 35 of thecontainer 12. In other words, the basket 20 a is lifted from thecontainer with all of the crustacea or seafood therein wasted andcleaned. The crustacea or seafood will be very clean and suitable foruse without further treatment. As such, when crawfish is the crustaceaused in the system of the present invention, the crawfish will be almostpolished completely clean. As such, the basket 20 a can be passed forboiling in the boiling pot during the crawfish boil. As such, the systemof the present invention avoids the requirement for meticulouslymanually washing the crustacea or game. There is no need to fill bucketswith crawfish and then use a water hose with the bucket in order tospray the crawfish and further dump the bucket after several sprayings.The present invention allows the crustacea or game to be cleaned in arelatively short period of time.

FIG. 16 shows an isolated view of the basket 100 in accordance with theteachings of the present invention. The basket 100 has a wall 102 and aninterior volume 104. A plurality of holes 106 are formed through thewall 102 of the basket 100. Holes 106 allow water to communicate betweenthe exterior and the interior of the basket 100. The basket 100 has arim 108. A handle can be incorporated onto the basket 100 in the mannershown in FIG. 1. The handle can be attached to the upper rim 115 andextend outwardly therefrom. The handle can be pivotally mounted to theupper rim 15 so as to be movable between a horizontal orientation and avertical orientation. In the vertical orientation, the handle wouldextend upwardly above the rim 115. The handle allows a user to lift thebasket 100 from the interior of the container, the place the basket 100into the boiling pot, to lift the basket from the boiling pot, andreturn the basket back into the container for washing.

In FIG. 16, it can be seen that the wall 102 has a taper such that thebottom 114 has a smaller diameter than the rim 108. The taper of thewall 102 allows the basket 10 to nest within the interior of thecontainer and also nest within the interior of the boiling pot. The wall102 should be formed of a polymeric material or metallic material, suchas aluminum. As such, the basket 110 can be used for both the cleaningof the seafood or crustacea, the movement of the seafood and crustaceafrom the container to the boiling pot, and the insertion of the basket100 into the boiling pot. The cleaning basket is the same as the boilingbasket. When the basket 100 is lifted from the cleaning container, thewater on the interior 104 of the basket 100 will drain through theopenings 106. The size of the openings 106 will avoid any release orescape of the seafood or crustacea.

In the present invention, it is important that the flow of water fromthe apertures of the pipe be directed into the interior 104 of basket100. As such, basket 100 has an indentation 116 formed in the wall 102.Indentation 116 will conform to the exterior of the pipe. Theindentation 106 includes a plurality of holes 118 which will correspondand align with the apertures of the pipe. As such, when the apertures ofthe pipe direct the flow of water, this flow of water is directedimmediately into the interior 104 of the basket 100. The configurationof the holes 118 will not interfere with a distribution of water fromthe apertures of the pipe. Additionally, if necessary, the pipe canactually be affixed within the indentation 116 so as to direct the flowof water directly into the basket 104 without the use of the separatewashing container.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details ofthe illustrated construction can be made is the scope of the presentinvention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. Thepresent invention should only be limited by the following claims andtheir legal equivalents.

I claim:
 1. An assembly for cleaning and cooking seafood or crustacea,the assembly comprising: a container having an interior volume definedby a wall, said container having a bottom and an upper edge; a basketremovably received in said interior volume of said container, saidbasket having a plurality of openings in a wall thereof; a pipepositioned adjacent to said wall, said pipe having a plurality ofapertures adapted to direct the flow of water into an interior of saidbasket; a connector fluidically connected to said pipe, said connectorhaving a portion extending outwardly of said wall of said container; anda pot spaced from said container, said basket being removably receivedin said pot.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, said wall of said containerbeing tapered such that the upper edge has a diameter greater than adiameter of said body of the bottom of said container, said baskethaving a tapered wall with a taper that generally matches a taper of thetapered wall of said container such that said basket nests in theinterior volume of said container.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, saidbasket having a slotted configuration overlying said pipe, saidplurality of apertures of said pipe being aligned with slots of theslotted configuration of said basket.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, saidbasket being formed of an aluminum material.
 5. The assembly of claim 1,said plurality of apertures of said pipe adapted to direct the flow ofwater toward a portion of said basket spaced from said pipe such thatflow of water creates a cyclonic path in said basket.
 6. An assembly forcleaning seafood or crustacea, the assembly comprising: a basket havinga plurality of openings through a wall of said basket; and a pipepositioned adjacent the wall of said basket, said pipe directing a flowof water through at least some of said plurality of openings of saidbasket so as to create a cyclonic path of water flow in an interior ofsaid basket.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, said basket having an insetarea at a portion of the wall of said basket, said inset area having aplurality of openings corresponding with and aligned with the pluralityof apertures of said pipe.
 8. The assembly of claim 6, furthercomprising: a container having an interior volume, said container havinga tapered wall, said wall of said basket being tapered such that saidbasket nests within said container, said pipe being affixed within theinterior volume of said container.
 9. An apparatus for cleaning seafoodand crustacea, the apparatus comprising: a container having an interiorvolume defined by wall, said container having a bottom and an upperedge, said container adapted to receive the seafood or crustaceatherein, the wall of said container being tapered such that the upperedge of said container has a diameter greater than a diameter of thebottom of said container; a pipe positioned in said container, said pipehaving an aperture adapted to direct the flow of water into saidcontainer; and a connector fluidically connected to said pipe, saidconnector having a portion extending outwardly of the wall of saidcontainer.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, said pipe having a plurality ofapertures adapted to direct the flow of water toward a portion of thewall of said container spaced from said pipe.
 11. The apparatus of claim10, the plurality of apertures creating a cyclonic flow of water in saidcontainer.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, said pipe positioned adjacentto the wall of said container.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, said pipeextending in a generally vertical orientation.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, the generally vertical orientation being in parallel relationto the wall of said container.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, theplurality of apertures being formed in spaced relation to each otheralong a length of said pipe, each of the plurality of apertures having aslot, the slot having a length substantially greater than a length ofthe aperture.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, said pipe having a pluralityof spacers extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of said pipe,said plurality of spacers generally abutting the wall of said container,each of the plurality of spacers comprising a fin having an outer edge,one end of the outer edge being radially closer to said pipe than anopposite end of the fin.
 17. The assembly of claim 9, said connectorhaving a water hose connector thereon such that said pipe can beconnected to a water hose.
 18. The apparatus of claim 9, said pipecomprising a nozzle having an outlet directed inwardly of the wall ofsaid container toward the interior volume of said container, said nozzledirecting the flow of water toward a portion of the containercircumferentially spaced from said pipe.
 19. The apparatus of claim 9,further comprising: a basket removably received in said interior volumeof said container.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, the wall of saidcontainer being tapered such that the upper edge of said container has adiameter greater than a diameter of the bottom of said container, saidbasket having a tapered wall having a taper that generally matches ataper of the tapered wall of said container.